Heritage has made Northeastern a focal point of our community pride
As a member of the Advisor y Board for Northeastern Junior College, I was recently invited to a virtual meeting led by Joe Garcia, the Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System and the leaders, faculty and team members of Northeastern. The focus of the ‘town hall’ meeting was – among other things – the momentum building to remove
“Junior” from the name of three Community Colleges within the state, including the Northeastern campus.
As an Advisor y Board member, I am ver y much aware of and appreciate the differing viewpoints surrounding this movement and most often can identify with all viewpoints in some form or fashion. The meeting was, from my vantage point, an opportunity to listen, learn and share perspectives – much as others have in a variety of work, academic and personal settings.
Most of us have experienced that it is not uncommon to have var ying opinions in circumstances such as this and hopefully those involved recognize the benefit of hearing and learning from one another. I had been unaware that prior to being named Northeastern Junior College in 1950, the campus was known as Sterling Junior College – and here we are, 70 years later with the possibility of another name change.
A name is one form of identity – but the life and impact of Northeastern Junior College is inherent in its heritage.
The heritage of Northeastern runs deep within our community, those who have taught and worked so hard to support the campus and its students and especially those who attended and graduated – taking that giant step from high school or possibly returning as a non-traditional student; maybe as the first in their family to have an oppor tunity for higher education. That heritage began in 1941, built on a vision that ever yone who has worked at, taught at, or attended Northeastern has strengthened over the past 80 years. There is an incredible stor y there!
Heritage is iconic, purposeful and measurable and will remain – regardless of what the campus is named.
The positives of a name change may equal in number to the negatives. But, considering the heritage this 80-year old institution shares with all of Northeastern Colorado and beyond (even internationally), the potential and positive momentum a name change might bring positions the college for a stronger future that will enhance that original vision and its heritage even fur ther.
I have strong confidence in and admiration for the leadership, faculty, team members and students of Northeastern Junior College and I hope they will see Northeastern College as evolutionar y.